Kalamazoo Hockey Team Paints Ice Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dGrlbvhP5I
Home ice for the Kalamazoo Wings was dyed a different color on Friday.
The K-Wings said the game against the Toledo Walleye is the first professional hockey game on rainbow ice.
“In partnership with the NHL for Hockey is for Everyone,” Toni Will, K-Wings general manager, said.
Will said the initiative and the rainbow-colored ice opened the doors for fans and players to open their minds.
“Hockey truly is for everyone, it doesn’t matter your race, your religion, your sexual orientation,” said Will.
Fans said its a creative way to show inclusivity and diversity being celebrated in the sport.
“It means we’re kind of progressing, being able to show equality in ice and representing that-- is really cool,” said Madison Hayes.
“Hockey really is for everyone, I play with a lot of people that come from a lot of different backgrounds, it’s a great sport and its very accepting,” said Jeff Masternak.
The rainbow ice game was the first of five times the ice will be colored at Wings Event Center during the K-Wings season. The next one is set for Feb. 11 when the ice will be dyed pink.
The K-Wings are famous for the team's colored ice games, and always draw big crowds. The team is encouraging fans to mask up with coronavirus infections spreading rapidly in Michigan.
“I feel like it’s really not that big of a deal to have something over your face, so other people can enjoy things and live life the normal way,” said Hayes.
“We’re aware of everything that’s happening, we trust that the messaging we’re putting out there, of telling people, come wear your mask-- it’s going to be safe, they’re coming at their own risk,” said Will.
https://wwmt.com/news/local/k-wings-...s-for-everyone